Overall Rating
Overall Rating (169 Reviews)
4.5
(169 Ratings)  (169 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
2.6
SCENERY
4.4
PRODUCTION
4.3
SWAG
3.8
The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon® is a runner’s favorite for its scenery and value. A fast and certified course through San Francisco’s scenic Golden Gate Park, the race has been selected as Road Race of the Year by the Road Runners Club of America several times. The 5K, … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Feb 04):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  57  60  58  55  51
L (°F)  50  47  45  44  41
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Recent reviews

    gpruns REPEAT RUNNER '23

    This is an easy half and great for anyone wanting to do their first half. It’s basically around GGP and Great Highway. No challenging hills woot woot! The weather around … MORE

    This is an easy half and great for anyone wanting to do their first half. It’s basically around GGP and Great Highway. No challenging hills woot woot! The weather around that time is usually not ideal. It was sprinkling a bit this year. But that makes it a bit more fun right?

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    vivekinmea FIRST-TIMER '23

    The race course starting from Golden Gate Bridge is quite exhilaerating. Race maneuvered through different bylanes of the epic garden while culminating through a stretch run along the the ocean … MORE

    The race course starting from Golden Gate Bridge is quite exhilaerating. Race maneuvered through different bylanes of the epic garden while culminating through a stretch run along the the ocean beach returning from the SF Zoo.
    Overall environment was very nice, with volunteers at several spots cheering you up mentally and physically supplementing your water and energy level.

    It was mostly flat surface, so an ideal for a starter like me. took a total of 2.14 .54 to finish the half marathon, and i am completely satisfied with my snail space :). Would like to improve the speed to someday finish the race within 2 hrs. Want to participate in many more races, but the entry fee is a little discouraging to let me participate every race. would be great if I could know any offer up for grab, including my participation as volunteer, which can spurt my participation at a sliced price.
    Keep running folks! It is a great way to keep you fit, both physically and mentally.
    Thanks/Vivek

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    My Report
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4
    My Media

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    kimberlee REPEAT RUNNER '23

    I've run the Kaiser Half Marathon three times, and I'll keep coming back! The course covers gorgeous portions of Golden Gate Park, including a beautiful 2 miles down hill, followed … MORE

    I’ve run the Kaiser Half Marathon three times, and I’ll keep coming back! The course covers gorgeous portions of Golden Gate Park, including a beautiful 2 miles down hill, followed by an out-and-back along the ocean. The out-and-back is always tougher than I think. Overall, this seems to be a fast course. I know a ton of runners who PR’d in 2023! We got a little lucky with the weather, though, despite the quick downpour before the start. The weather is always hard to predict in San Francisco in February.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    catbisidro FIRST-TIMER '23

    Loved passing through picturesque scenery in Golden Gate Park. Would be nice to have had the finish line close to the start line to limit the distance back to parking. MORE

    Loved passing through picturesque scenery in Golden Gate Park. Would be nice to have had the finish line close to the start line to limit the distance back to parking.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    krowmaticprime FIRST-TIMER '23

    Great view and course but felt like cattle at the begining no gates and end of the race to get us outta there a fast as possible not alot of … MORE

    Great view and course but felt like cattle at the begining no gates and end of the race to get us outta there a fast as possible not alot of activities. Started at one end of the park and ended up on the otherside without buses to take us back to our cars we were on our own. I was so tired after the race and had to uber it to my car. Gear check left my stuff in the rain while I ran and didnt eeven try to cover our stuff up.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    Magameyer FIRST-TIMER '23

    This was my very first 10k race. I'm not a runner but I do enjoy long walks. After restarting my fitness journey 5 months ago, I chose this 10k because … MORE

    This was my very first 10k race. I’m not a runner but I do enjoy long walks. After restarting my fitness journey 5 months ago, I chose this 10k because I wanted to challenge myself and gauge how much improvement I’ve made over these past months.

    This race did not disappoint! Although the day started out rainy, it eventually became the perfect day. The air was crisp and sun felt gentle. The race path was well staffed so you could never get lost. The route was mostly flat and very doable even for a novice like me. The scenery was very enjoyable. I even stopped to take some pictures along the way. The race organizers really thought of everything! I had a great time and I’ll definitely be back!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    Support great race! Very well put together and beautiful views. Do it if you can! They have a good shuttle of system to take you from the clubhouse to the … MORE

    Support great race! Very well put together and beautiful views. Do it if you can! They have a good shuttle of system to take you from the clubhouse to the actual race just show up early if you do, will call because the line is really long and it’s only one tent.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    marcok REPEAT RUNNER '23

    I've done this about 5 times in the last 7 years. This year the course is a little different, not much but I was not expecting the change. Overall, still … MORE

    I’ve done this about 5 times in the last 7 years. This year the course is a little different, not much but I was not expecting the change. Overall, still mostly flat and fast. If you haven’t done this before you would like that. It feels this year the course is about 1/2 mile more inside the park and 1/2 mile less along the beach. So, if you like park scenery that’s a plus for you. There was also rain at the very beginning, but it stopped soon after. This time of the year you can’t tell what the weather will be like.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    loungesong REPEAT RUNNER '23

    I'm usually not officially trained for this race--but it's close to where I live and fun after the undoing of my fall marathon through the holidays. The timing is great … MORE

    I’m usually not officially trained for this race–but it’s close to where I live and fun after the undoing of my fall marathon through the holidays. The timing is great after I get more serious about training Jan 1.

    Like everyone says, it is a massive downhill course with the only real uphill the last 1/4 mile. Can be windy on the Great Highway (especially northbound) but this ear the wind was blowing at 90 degrees so wasn’t too much of a factor. They also went back to the original course in the park which cuts off the distance on the Great Highway by about .5 mile which is great.

    Not many spectators except for Lincoln/Great Highway (families near the finish). Awesome T-Shirt this year (soft cotton long sleeve). Usually has a nice medal, too.

    Really need to stay on your inside corners–I ran this one with almost .25 extra distance!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    Profile photo of Maria Pugliese
    puglieseme FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is my first time competing at this half marathon. Very well organized, very nice and scenic race course. I would definitely do this again! MORE

    This is my first time competing at this half marathon. Very well organized, very nice and scenic race course. I would definitely do this again!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    rayalanchow FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is a relatively easy course that is flat with couple miles of downhills. The course is also stocked with a lot of water stations. It is a fast course … MORE

    This is a relatively easy course that is flat with couple miles of downhills. The course is also stocked with a lot of water stations. It is a fast course for some one looking to PR their half marathon time.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    avneet.aka FIRST-TIMER '23

    I love the 10K course. It was my first time running an international run. I can't expect better than SF Half Marathon. It was so much fun to see other … MORE

    I love the 10K course. It was my first time running an international run. I can’t expect better than SF Half Marathon. It was so much fun to see other runners geared up on a rainy day at SF Golden Gate Park. So many groups cheering everyone throughout the course. Hope to see 21K next time at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon 2024

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    My Report
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

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    loungesong REPEAT RUNNER '22

    This is a fast course that is feels like two equal halves. The first half is a net downhill through Golden Gate Park. The second half is completely flat along … MORE

    This is a fast course that is feels like two equal halves. The first half is a net downhill through Golden Gate Park. The second half is completely flat along the Pacific Ocean on the Great Highway. Can we windy, but was flat calm in 2022. Parking is not overly difficult as this race is relatively small so you can park in the neighborhood if you are willing to walk afterwards. It is easy to over run in the first half as there are a lot of long sweeping turns that you can streamline. Sometimes I was running almost .1 miles too far by not staying to the inside. They gave out some kind of disgusting electrolyte water instead of play water at the finish. Gross!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    wsiddiqi REPEAT RUNNER '22

    It was a great run. Perfect weather, great course, good organization. Helps me get over the winter doldrums. Parked at the great highway and took the shuttle to starting point. … MORE

    It was a great run. Perfect weather, great course, good organization. Helps me get over the winter doldrums.
    Parked at the great highway and took the shuttle to starting point. Bib pickup was well organized at various locations across the Bay area so I didnt have to drive to SF for that. The volunteers seem to have a better color shirt than the participants. What gives? Need an option to swap

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    ninamariannah FIRST-TIMER '22

    Great race for a PR with a net downhill. Running through Golden Gate Park is always beautiful. The website was a bit confusing, but the important information was provided via … MORE

    Great race for a PR with a net downhill. Running through Golden Gate Park is always beautiful. The website was a bit confusing, but the important information was provided via email.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    2

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    Profile photo of Siji Chacko
    sijina REPEAT RUNNER '22

    You will not be disappointed . The course elevation and the timing of the year makes this race perfect for you to achieve your personal best times. MORE

    You will not be disappointed .
    The course elevation and the timing of the year makes this race perfect for you to achieve your personal best times.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    Profile photo of Sandro Herzog
    sandro.karg FIRST-TIMER '22

    Aid stations only had water and nuun electrolytes, no nutrition even though GU is a main sponsor. The long stretch along the ocean is mentally most challenging. Fast and fun … MORE

    Aid stations only had water and nuun electrolytes, no nutrition even though GU is a main sponsor.
    The long stretch along the ocean is mentally most challenging. Fast and fun though!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    1juliehays FIRST-TIMER '22

    The 5K course has a huge downhill portion at the end, with one main hill around mile 1, so be prepared for a fast race! It was a beautiful path … MORE

    The 5K course has a huge downhill portion at the end, with one main hill around mile 1, so be prepared for a fast race! It was a beautiful path through the park, and volunteers were fun and enthusiastic. Shuttle was helpful, although I can imagine it is harder for 10K and half marathon participants to walk up to it after the longer races. Only pains for me were before the race; parking was almost impossible (I don’t live in SF so I had to drive), and then it was basically a pre-race sprint to get all the way down to gear check and back for for the 5K start. I wish the gear truck was a little closer to the starting corral for all those who spend 20+ minutes finding a parking spot in the middle of downtown SF!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    marcok REPEAT RUNNER '22

    This is a great race. After a year off for in person races. They did a great job bringing it back. Organization is terrific. The race course is flat and … MORE

    This is a great race. After a year off for in person races. They did a great job bringing it back. Organization is terrific. The race course is flat and a beautiful, with a big piece going through the park in paved roads.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    asdfhenry FIRST-TIMER '22

    This event was great, for beginners and experienced runners! The course wasn't a challenge at all and all of the event workers were very helpful and encouraging. MORE

    This event was great, for beginners and experienced runners! The course wasn’t a challenge at all and all of the event workers were very helpful and encouraging.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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  1. Races
  2. Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon (Kaiser Half)